Be a Smart Health Services Shopper: Check Out the Price Comparison Tool

Among the many health-related provisions of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA), in its No Surprises Act provisions, beginning in 2023, most group health plans and issuers of individual insurance coverage must provide a searchable web-based tool (and alternative hard copy delivery) allowing participants to find individualized cost-sharing and rate information for covered items and services. This price comparison tool allows plan participants to “shop” and compare cost sharing regarding 500 “shoppable” services identified by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The 500 limit has been in effect for 2023, but, effective January 1, 2024, plans must provide the same price comparison tool for all items and services.  Check your insurer/service provider agreements to verify  that the tool will be prepared and updated.

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